Power-transmitting mechanism for automobiles.



PATENTED GCT. 9, 1906.

L. P. MOOERS. l POWER TRANSMITTING. MEOHANISM POR AUTOMOBILES.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

LPPLIUATION FILED MAR. 26.1903.

-WAHM all' Y .111| IA m Wn 6656.5', 5, ,WML

POWER' TRANSMITTING MBOH-ANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES. .LPPLIOATION HLLD 11.53.26. 1903.

l-IO

UNITEDN STATES PATENT' LOUIS r. MooEES, or CLEVELAND, omo, AssiGNoR To THE :Pri-EINES@ MOTOR CAR COMPANY, OF VEST VIRGINIA.

CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATIJN OE POWER-TRANSMITTING MEcHANlsM--Fon AurowioelLl-zs.

specificati@ of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 9; 1908;?

e Application fiieariamh 26,1903. seriaiNo. 149.624.

.To all whom, t may concern:

Be rit known that L'Loors P. MooERs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in thev county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have inventeda certain new and useful Improvement. in' Power-Trans- 'mitting Mechanism for Automobiles, of which the followingis a full, clear, andexact description, reference being had to the accom-- panying drawings. i-

The invention relates to thejm'echanism which forms the OperatiVe'cOnnectiOn between the driven wheels and the longitudinal machine. y

, The particular object 'of this invention is to` provide a construction,- includingthe diiferential gearing, wherein all ofY thel working parts will be incased, but in such mannerthat all of said parts may be disconnected 'from driving-shaft of an automobile or analogous the driving-.wheels and Aremved from =thev casing for the purpose of repair orreadjust-A ment or may be properly adjusted before they are pnt into saidcasing.

vThe invention maybe here summarized as consisting of the construction' and combination of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out deiinitely in the claims.

ln the drawings, Figure lis a plan view of saiddriving mechanism when the uppercap of the `casing is removed and most of the parts arev incentral horizontal section. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the .mechanism as it app ars when -the casing-cap only'is removed.

ig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on line l 3 350i Fig. 2. f Fig: 4 is a ltransverse sectional viewl on line i '4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5 5 4of Fig.- 2, and Fig. 6 is a detail in section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the parts byA letters-A representsfa centrally-disposed casing, from which Vtwo tubes a' a, which are rigidly fastened to l. the-casing, extend ylaterally inopposite directionstoward the side ofthe vehicle. The

casing consists of a body portion, which is the lower -half of it andthe part' to Which-tl.L tubes a are rigidly connecte'd,fandfa removf able cap a', a portion of which is shownin Figs. Ltand 5, the plane of separation between the body and capi being substantially diametrical. `Spring-sects B- are secured `to the .tubes @,wherebv said tubesmay be connected with the springs which support the vehicle-body.

The driving-'axle is divided, andthe twofggA pai Ss thereof C areconnected and driven@ byl differentialv gearing of suitable construction. This die'ren'tifall gearing as anen# tirety ris' rotatably supported in 4bearings f uponthe casing A. Prior to my invention oo the diierential -gdaring was rotatably sup)- ported, upon the axle-sections, which'were. in turn mounted inbearingssecured te thefcas-` ing. The dilerential-:mechanism `shown in' cludes arotatable` dr'mnD, which `has two oppositely-extended hubs d, which hubsare rotatably mounted ori-:.ballbearings in ringsV E. Each; of-these rings, has twolearsr e, by means; of which said rings maybe'prigidly but removably and adjfustablysecured to the casing- Thisdrum-carries al plurality off: planetary. gears d, which are located .insidel j -ofj` the drum and in the: specific 'form ishown are independently rotatable upon axes whichv are parallel with the vaxis of the drum.'k The-75 differential mechanism includesv two gears N 5 which are inside of the ,drum- .andlare inde- 'pendently-mounted, so as to be 'rotatable-fabout an axis which is coincident with 'the-4 axis of said drumand the axle-section.. Thesel gears N are so mounted by beingattached to extend out through and are rotatable in. hubs;

planetary gears d, andv the'g'ars N which differential gearing, which, as stated,` is ro.-V tatable bodily upon the ball-bearings in ther: adjustable rings E. Rotary motion is -trans- -g mitted to this differential gearing fromthev driving-shaft 'J by means of a beveled gear as stated, rotatably mounted in the hubs of said drum. The operative connection bej tween eachof these axle-sections and the l shaft c is such as compels them to rotate in the inner ends of short shaftfsections c,which.1 'l

d of the drum.- 'This differential drum, vthe I' mesh with the planetary Vgears in a familiar. manner, .constitute-whatv may bev called the'.

the outer ends-'ofthe shafts c', which are,- roo unison, but permits the .axle-sections to be l drawn longitudinally outward, so as to sever lftween said short shaft and axle-sections is one form of universal joint, and, as shown, is

specifically of the wit: The outer end of each short shaft c is enlarged, and in this end is formed a diametrical groove c2 wide enough to 'loosely receive the squared collars c3. These collars are loosely fitted on studs c5, which project radially from a collar c, which is non-rotatably secured to the inner end of the corresponding axle-section. ln the specific construction shown this collar c6 is fitted onto the squared end of the axle-section and' is held thereon by a cotter-pin c7, The oper- 'ative connection between each axle-section and the differential gearing is attained by the inward endwise movement of the axle-section, which causes the squared collars c3 to engage, as stated, in the groove c2. This universal joint may be concealed and in some measure protected by a sleeve 08, which is secured to the outer end of the short shaft c.

The described engagement between the axle-.section and the differential gearing is maintained so long as the outward endwise `movement of said axle-section is prevented, and it is prevented in the construction shown because it is connected with the hubvG of a I jects out of the tube a.

' bearings in which the hub of the differentialv6g follows? A con d '1S is rotatablymounted the outer end thereof the bearings for said hub being adjustable ball-bearings of familiar form which when adjusted prevent the endwise movement of said hub relative tol the tube. The outer -end of each axle-section is squared and pro- A. flanged collar Fis fitted to the squared outer end of said axlesection, and it is provided with clutch-jawsf, which engage with correspondin jaws g on the outer end of the hub G, and t is engagement is maintained and relative endwise movement of the axle-section and hub is prevented by means of a cap H, which is fastened to the hub and has a fiange h, which overhangs the flange g of the collar F. The rear section J lof the longitudinal drivingshaft projects into the casing, as before stated, and is rotatably mountedI on ballbearings in two rings K K', which a're rigidly but removably and adjustably Secured to the casing.

The s pcciiic construction shown of the b all- 1driving-wheel which upon the tube near drum is rotated is las following construction7 to,f

' sponding The employment properly positioned, they will 'tial mechanism,

fitted upon the hub, abutting a yshoulder thereof.

e. A second cone d2 is slidably fitted upon -said hub, and the-balls occupy a raceway formed betweensaid two cones and the groove 'tudinal groove lin the hub d', whereby t e rotating. The washer has a plurality of holes d6, arranged concentrically, and a pin dkjuay belpassed washer is prevented .from

thrpugh any one of these holes into a correhole in the Vadjustment-nut d3,

The ring E has an internal groove l .v in said ring. The cone d2 maybe adjusted tor` whereby the rotation of said nut is prevented. The washer is maintained in a position against the adjustment-nutby a-lock-nut d8. of the bearing-,rings E E K Kl are exceedingly good specific'means for l attaining very desirable'results in mechanism of thissort. The differential drum is through the rings E E mounted directly upon the casing and is wholly supported thereby independently of the axle-sections.'

The differential drum may be moved -axially to take up slight wear in its ball-bearings or to cause the gear D3 with the gear M, and the driving-shaftJ may also be moved lendw'ise to better insure the' proper intermeshing of said beveled gears or for any other purpose. The construction which permits these last-named adjustmentsis shown clearly inFigs. 2 and 4. The rings E E and K K are connected to the casing by screws R, which pass loosely through lthe holes in the ears and screwl into the casing. The rings may then be adjusted nicely by means of set-screws R,which screw horizontallythrough said ears and into contact with to mesh more accurately loo the screws R. i When said rings have been positions by tightening up the screws R. This adjustment of the differential drum has no effect upon the position of the axle-sections.

N; but they may'with equal accuracybe regarded as inner sections of the axle.

As a matter of fact, they are the means for mounting `the gears N and serve for repair or adjusffl to connect fthem.

be fixed in said IIO In order to sever the operative'connection desired, the rings E E and bearing-rings y with'the outer axle-sections C', and it does not seem to matter much in what language they are described or whether they are considered as parts of the axle or "differential mechanism. The member D is also referred to herein as a differential drum, because that expression seems more accurately descri tive; but 1t serves to house and incase t e .l :differential gearsfd and N, and therefore mitting automatically-differentiated motionl from said shaft to said axles, with rings which support the bearings for the inner ends of said axles and are separably connected with thec'asing, .wh roby, when the casing-cap is removed,'th""ax sjrtheir bearings, and said 'a`y u be:l disconnected and removed froni-v vcasing without disturbing their relatio'n'to each other, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a casing having a` removable cap, a driving-shaft mounted in said casing, two axles, and mechanism transmitting automatically-differentiated motion from said shaft to said axles, with bearingrings which support the bearings for the inner ends of said axles, said bearing-rings having ears which are separably secured to said casing, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a casing having a removable cap, a ,driving-shaft mounted in Saidcasiug, two axles and mechanism transmitting automatically-differentiated motion from said shaft to said axles, with bearing' rings which support the bearings forthe in- 11er ends of said axles, said rings having perforated ears, boltsl passing loosely through the holes in said ears and screwing in said casing, and adjusting-screws screwing through said ears into engagement with said bolts, substantially as described. v

4.,The combination of al casmghaviiig a removable cap, a driving-shaft extending into the casing, two inner axle-sections independently mounted in bearings which are removably secured to said casing, and diderential power-transmitting mechanism in said casing intermediate of said shaft and axlesections, with two outer axle-.sections extending into the casing and being separably connected with the inner axle-sections, said outer sections being capable of endwise movement to break `'said separable connections, substantially as described.

5. The combination of a casing having a removable cap, a driving-shaft ext-'ending into the casing and rotatably mounted therein, and a differential drum having laterallyextended hubs, with bearing-rings in which said hubs, are mounted, which rings are removably connected with the casing, an operative connection between said driving-shaft and drum, -two alined axles independently mounted in the hubs of said differential drum, and differential mechanism transmitting power from said drum to said axle-sections, substantially as described.'

6. The combination of a casing having a. l

drum in mesh with said compensating gearsv respec-y and operatively secured to said axles tively, the outer parts of said axles'being capable of `outward endwise movement to break the operative connection between said driven gears and the movable part of said axles, substantiallyI as described.

7. The combination ofa casing having a removable cap, a driving-shaft'extending into said casing, a differential drum in said casing operatively connected with said. driving-shaft and having laterallyprojecting hubs,- bearing-rings in which said hubs are rotatably' mounted, said rings being removably :secured to the casing and adjustable thereon, axles which project into said casing and into said drum, being rotatable in the hubs of the latter, gears in said drum secured to said Vaxle-sections, and compensating gears carried by the drum and engaging with said gears, substantially as described.

8. The combination of a casing having two laterally-extended tubes, a driving-shaft extending into` said casing, two outer axle-sections extending through said tubes .into said casing, two inner axle-sections mounted in the casing and having separable but operative connection with said outer axle-sections, and differential mechanism within said casing for transmitting' motion from said driving-shaft to said inner axle-sections,` with wheel-hubs mounted upon said tubes, collars having a non-rotative connection with the projecting ends of said outer axle-sections, interlocking jaws upon said wheel-hubs and collars respectively, and means holding said jaws in operative engagement, substantially as described. j

9. The combination of a casing having two laterally-extended tubes, a driving-shaft extending into said casing, two axles, each consisting of two separably-connected sections,

drum having extending through said tubes into said casing,

bearing-rings separably connected with said casing, and which support the bearings for the inner axle-sections, and'differential mechanism within` said casing for transmitting motion from said driving-shaft to said inner axle-sections,with wheel-hu s mounted upon said tubeafiange-collars having a non-rotative connection withthe projecting-ends of .substantially as described the outer axle-sections, interlocking jaws' upon said wheel-hubs vandcollar-iianges respeotively, and caps secured to the wheelhubs and engaging with said collar-anges' whereby, to hold said jaws in engagement,

10. The combination of a casing having two vlaterally-extended tubes-' in axial alinement two inner ing, rings in which -they are rotatively mounted, which rings are removably fastene'dto: said casing, mechanism forrotating said. axle-sections, two outer axle-'sections extending through said tubes and separably connected at their inner ends with the inner axle-sections, and wheels rotatively mounted upon said tubes and connected ,with theouter ends of said outer *axle-sections, substantially as described.-

. gears rotatively 11. The 'combination of a casing having two laterally-extended tubes in axial alinement, two inner aXleLsections, rings i-n which 'they are rotatively--mounted, which rings are i said casing, and two` extending through said tubes, andseparably connected at their inremovabl'y fastened to -outer axle-sections ner' ends with the inner axle-sections, wheels .rotativel'y mounted upon said tubes and connecte'd with the outer ends of said ou'ter axlesections, a differential drum rotativelymounted concentrically with said inner axle. sections, a beveled gear secured thereto, mountedupon said drum, and gears secured to the inner ends of theinner axle-sections in mesh withl` the geaislast named, a driving-' shaft, two bearing-rings in which it is rotativelymounted, which rings are removably secured to" the casing, anda beveled gear secured to said drivingeshaft in mesh with the beveled geary on the4v difieren;

5 tial drum,substantially as described,

. having outwardlyeextended ears,

' riected, a lconcentrically-mounted differential' 12.' The combination of two inner axle; sections, a bearing-ring for eaqhaxlesect1on support to which said ears are separably con drum havinga beveled gear attached to-it,: dierential mechanism intermediate of said drum and axle-sections, a driving-shaft, two.

bearing-rings on which said -shaft is rotatably mounted, onev having two outwardlyex tending ears adapted A-said support,- an but having also a threaded boss on without displacing saidlmechanism.

.fa suitable 1 compensating l pinions mes l a housing to actuatethe compensating v the end thereofv a and axle-sections extending- 14. The combination with axl'esections., and a differentialgear vbetween the, same, of

ing supporting-bearings thrust-bearings for the axle at the outer ends thereof.

removable cap and two laterally-extending 4on bearings-rigid with and projectin into axle-sections, pinions'inounted on said differential drum a d engagingwith the gears vreferred to, and-means for rotating said dinerential drum, ysubstantially as specified.

16. The combination of a casing having through said ing, with differentialkgearing in connecting saidaxle-sections', which gearing includes a housingwhich is 'rotatably mounted in antifriction-bearings upon said casing, and means for rotating said housing.

117.- The combination of a c asing having laterally-extended tubes, and axle-sections extending through said. tubes into 'said'.casing, with d i-Herential gearinginf said casing connecting said axle sections,` which gear- -ing 'includes .a housing which is rotatably extending tubes into said .cas-

lmeans for casing,

and" me ans longitudinally, housing.

`18. Ina binaton vwith axle-Section5.

for rotating the differential drivinggear, the comand a casing axlesections theA casing.

19. vbi'nation with axle-sections, and aA` casing thereover, of differential gearing between the axle-sections bearings upon the casing. 20. I-ncombination a havin-g its bearings uponv driving-'shaft proential mechanism fordriving they driven shafts provided with a drivengear meshing with said bevel-gear, a'rot'atable housing for the differential mechanism actuated by the driving-gear,l and a casing for the driven shafts, projecting inwardly, and bearingsl for the .housing vof the differential mechanism car- 'ried upon said hubs. v `21. The combination with the driven f laterally-extended tubes, and axlesections mounted in antifriction-bearing's. upon said adjusting said bearings In a differenti-al driving-gear', the comihaving a housingxsupported inl a .casing over the axle andthe gearing, havfor the gear, and

15. The oo mbinationof acasing having a. l

tubes ,1 a differential drum rotatably munte fsaidcasing, two axlefsection's indepen ently rotatable in said tubes and' in thedinerenti al drum, gears secured 'to the inner ends of said'` said casing roo thereover, of differential gearing between the 'vided with a bevel-gear, driven shafts, differ-' said latter casing provided with hubs'v shafts, oppositelydisposed gears thereon,

hing with said Igears,

pinions and forming at journal for' the 'corresponding end of the driven shaft, :and bearingsfor the housing shafts.

separate from and independent of the driven driving-gear,

driving-gear thereupon, a driven gear meshlng with the driving-gear, driven shafts, a differential mechanism mounted independv en tly of the driven shafts actuated by the a housing oarrying'said driven gear rotatable uponthe driven shafts, ageeroase, 87nd antirictioning upon the gear-oase.

,23.` .The eombinatio sections therein, 'and a berings for said housdifferential 4gear therewith@ housing, aXlein, 'between the axle-sections, of axially opposite conical bearings between the gear and the housing sustaining theiforrner in .the latter.

In testimony whereof l hereunto afi-71X my signature in the presence nftwo witnesses.v

n LOL' i. IH'IOOERS.

Witnesses:

E. L. TI-rUnsToN, E. B. GILoHRrs'r. 

